Physics of the Aurora

The aurora, known as the Northern and Southern Lights, occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere. These particles, mostly electrons and protons, travel along the Earth's magnetic field lines. When they hit oxygen and nitrogen atoms, they excite these gases, causing them to emit light in various colors, typically green, pink, or purple. The result is a stunning natural light display, mainly visible near the polar regions. The entire phenomenon is a beautiful interplay between solar activity and Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere.